U.S. patent application number 13/223899 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-08 for retractable money detector apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Stride, Inc.. Invention is credited to Patrick H. Brennan.
Application Number | 20120057921 13/223899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45770841 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120057921 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brennan; Patrick H. |
March 8, 2012 |
RETRACTABLE MONEY DETECTOR APPARATUS
Abstract
A retractable money detector apparatus for detecting counterfeit
paper currency is disclosed. The apparatus comprises of a barrel
for housing a sealing sleeve, a lanyard mechanism, a reservoir
housing unit, and a spring. A plastic clip fitted into an end of
the barrel houses a plunger and a rotor. A sealing sleeve keeps a
marking tip from drying out when retracted. A lanyard mechanism can
be utilized for closing the sealing sleeve. A reservoir-housing
unit can include an ink reservoir and the marking tip. The
reservoir can be filled with a special type of ink that detects the
counterfeit when applied on the paper currency.
Inventors: |
Brennan; Patrick H.;
(Albuquerque, NM) |
Assignee: |
Stride, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
45770841 |
Appl. No.: |
13/223899 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61379655 |
Sep 2, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
401/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B43K 8/24 20130101; B43K
8/028 20130101; B43K 24/08 20130101; G07D 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/104 |
International
Class: |
B43K 5/17 20060101
B43K005/17 |
Claims
1. A retractable money detector apparatus for detecting counterfeit
paper currency, comprising: a barrel comprising a first opening and
a second opening; a reservoir-housing unit mounted in said barrel
comprising a reservoir and a marking tip; a clip secured to said
second opening of said barrel in a non-rotatable fashion; a sealing
sleeve for maintaining said marking tip wet in a retracted
position; and a spring for constantly urging said marking tip
towards said retracted position.
2. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 1 wherein said
clip houses a plunger and a rotor.
3. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 1 further
comprising a lanyard mechanism for closing said sealing sleeve.
4. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 3 wherein said
barrel maintains said reservoir-housing unit, said sealing sleeve,
said lanyard mechanism, and said spring.
5. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 2 wherein said
marking tip is locatable in at least one of a predetermined
protracted position or said retracted position with respect to said
first opening of said barrel by operating said plunger.
6. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 1 wherein said
marking tip is utilized for making a mark on paper currency.
7. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 6 wherein a
color change in said paper currency indicates that said paper
currency comprises counterfeit currency.
8. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 1 further
comprising a lanyard mechanism for closing said sealing sleeve, and
wherein said clip houses a plunger and a rotor.
9. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 8 wherein said
marking tip is locatable in at least one of a predetermined
protracted position or said retracted position with respect to said
first opening of said barrel by operating said plunger.
10. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 8 wherein
said marking tip is utilized for making a mark on paper currency
and wherein a color change in said paper currency indicates said
paper currency comprises counterfeit currency.
11. A retractable money detector apparatus for detecting
counterfeit paper currency, comprising: a barrel comprising a first
opening and a second opening; a reservoir-housing unit mounted in
said barrel comprising a reservoir and a marking tip; a clip
secured to said second opening of said barrel in a non-rotatable
fashion, wherein said clip houses a plunger and a rotor; a sealing
sleeve for keeping said marking tip wet in a retracted position; a
lanyard mechanism for closing said sealing sleeve; and a spring for
constantly urging said marking tip towards said retracted
position.
12. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 11 wherein
said barrel houses said reservoir housing unit, said sealing
sleeve, said lanyard mechanism, and said spring.
13. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 11 wherein
said marking tip can be in a predetermined protracted or retracted
position with respect to said first opening of said barrel by
operating said plunger.
14. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 1 wherein
said marking tip can be utilized for making a mark on a paper
currency.
15. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 1 wherein a
color change in said paper currency indicates said paper currency
is a counterfeit currency.
16. A retractable money detector apparatus for detecting
counterfeit paper currency, comprising: a barrel comprising a first
opening and a second opening; a reservoir-housing unit mounted in
said barrel comprising a reservoir and a marking tip; a clip
secured to said second opening of said barrel in a non-rotatable
fashion, wherein said clip houses a plunger and a rotor; a sealing
sleeve for keeping said marking tip wet in a retracted position;
and a spring for constantly urging said marking tip towards said
retracted position.
17. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 16 further
comprising a lanyard mechanism for dosing said sealing sleeve, and
wherein said barrel houses said reservoir housing unit, said
sealing sleeve, and said spring.
18. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 17 wherein
said barrel further maintains said lanyard mechanism.
19. The retractable money detector apparatus of claim 16 wherein
said marking tip is locatable in predetermined protracted or
retracted position with respect to said first opening of said
barrel by operating said plunger.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said reservoir comprises a
special ink comprising at least one of: DNA; a tagging agent; or a
combination of said DNA and said tagging agent.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/379,655
entitled, "Retractable Money Detector Apparatus," which was filed
on Sep. 2, 2010 and is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments are generally related to counterfeit paper
currency detectors. Embodiments also relate to the field of
retractable counterfeit paper currency detection markers.
Embodiments additionally relate to techniques and devices for
detecting counterfeit paper currency.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] With modern improvements in copying, it has become
relatively easy for counterfeiters to reproduce paper currency. The
production of passable copies no longer requires the work of a
skilled engraver. Photographic methods, for example, can be
utilized to make accurate plates in a very short time. In addition,
electrostatic copying equipment has been so perfected that
reasonable color copies of legitimate notes can be made easily and
rapidly. As a result there has been a steadily growing amount of
false currency and an increased cost to merchants and others who
must absorb the loss when these copies are passed.
[0004] It is well known that ever since paper currency was
developed and put into use, the governments throughout the world
have been concerned with the problem of counterfeiting. It is
obvious that the problem of counterfeiting paper currency is and
has been a major concern of many governments around the world. In
response to the challenge of the ever growing concern of
counterfeiting, instruments have been developed for detecting
counterfeit currency.
[0005] Several techniques for detecting counterfeit currency have
been used with varying degrees of success depending upon the method
and the sophistication of the counterfeiters, and the quality of
the counterfeit bills. Such techniques range from simple human
visual observation and subjective evaluation to complicated
technical devices and methods.
[0006] An attempt has been made to detect counterfeit currency by
assessing crudely the relative amounts of starch as a component of
the paper used in the production of currency, which is disclosed in
one prior art. As paper used in genuine currency is known to
contain less sizing in form of starch, while just the opposite is
the case with regard to paper employed in the printing of
counterfeit currency. It is well known that starch will react to
dilute solutions of iodine. The reaction manifests in the
production of a black coloration when starch is present while paper
containing little or no starch will not appreciably discolor when a
dilute iodine solution is applied to a selected spot on the
paper.
[0007] Another technique involves a composition for detecting the
starch content in counterfeit paper currency comprising an
aqueous-alcohol solution of iodine and acetic acid and method of
applying same to paper currency genuine or counterfeit.
[0008] In another approach, simple methods such as marking bills
with felt-tip markers filled with weak iodine solution have been
used. The pen mark will turn dark brown or black when it reacts
with chemicals in cheaper paper used in some counterfeit currency
while marks on genuine currency of bills made with similar paper
remain yellow.
[0009] Some examples of prior art approaches include, for example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,163 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,556, which are
each, incorporated herein by reference in their respective
entireties.
[0010] However, it has been discovered that such known techniques
are not reliable or are too expensive to manufacture. In some
cases, such approaches are too bulky and/or complex in design. The
counterfeit detection markers on the market have a cap for closing
the marking tip. For detecting the counterfeit paper currency, the
user has to pick up the marker, remove the cap, set down the cap,
pick up the bill being tested, make a mark, and replace the cap.
This increases the burden of the user. In an effort to address the
foregoing difficulties, it is believed that the retractable cap
less paper currency marker as discussed herein can address many of
the problems with traditional counterfeit currency detectors.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0011] The following summary is provided to facilitate an
understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the
disclosed embodiment and is not intended to be a full description.
A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments
disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification,
claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
[0012] It is, therefore, one aspect of the disclosed embodiments to
provide for counterfeit paper currency detectors.
[0013] It is another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide
for retractable counterfeit paper currency detection markers.
[0014] It is another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide
traceability to the type of ink used within the paper currency
detection marker. This aspect provides cohesiveness in the market
by providing a standard.
[0015] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide
for a technique and apparatus for detecting counterfeit paper
currency.
[0016] The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and
advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A retractable
money detector apparatus for detecting counterfeit paper currency
is disclosed. The apparatus comprises of a barrel for housing a
sealing sleeve, a lanyard mechanism, a reservoir housing unit, and
a spring. A plastic clip secured into an end of the barrel houses a
plunger and a rotor. A sealing sleeve keeps a marking tip from
drying out when retracted. A lanyard mechanism can be utilized for
close the sealing sleeve. A reservoir housing unit comprises of an
ink reservoir and the marking tip. The reservoir can be filled with
a special type of ink that detects the counterfeit when applied on
the paper currency with the marking tip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the
separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the
specification, further illustrate the disclosed embodiments and,
together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to
explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an elevational view party shown in
section of retractable money detector apparatus in a retracted
position, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates an elevational view party shown in
section of retractable money detector apparatus in a protracted
position, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; and
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a high level flow chart depicting the
process of detecting the counterfeit paper currency, in accordance
with the disclosed embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The particular values and configurations discussed in these
non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to
illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit
the scope thereof. Note that in FIGS. 1-2, identical or similar
parts or elements are generally indicated by identical reference
numerals.
[0022] The embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative
embodiments of the invention are shown. The embodiments disclosed
herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any
and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed
items.
[0023] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an elevational view partly shown in
section of retractable money detector apparatus 100 in a retracted
position, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The
apparatus 100 comprises of a barrel 150 for housing a sealing
sleeve 140, a lanyard mechanism 130, a reservoir housing unit 160,
and a spring 135. The apparatus also comprises of a plastic clip
110 for housing a plunger 105 and a rotor 115. The plastic clip 110
is secured to an end 125 of barrel 150 near the plunger 105 in any
suitable known manner. The reservoir housing unit 160 can be
protracted and retracted through an opening 155 of barrel 150 and
is constantly urged toward a retracted position by a known biasing
steel spring 135 in the barrel 150. A sealing sleeve 140 keeps a
marking tip 145 wet during the retracted position. A lanyard
mechanism 130 can be utilized for closing the sealing sleeve 140.
The marking tip 145 can also be referred as a nib.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an elevational view party shown in
section of retractable money detector apparatus 100 in a protracted
position, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. In a
protracted position, the plunger 105 is operated to protract the
marking tip 145. A reservoir-housing unit 160 can comprise an ink
reservoir 165 and the marking tip 145. The ink reservoir 165 can be
filled with a special type of ink 120 that detects the counterfeit
when applied on the paper currency with the marking tip 145. The
marking tip 145 can be a cotton fiber or nylon substance that
absorbs the marking ink 120.
[0027] The ink 120 can be any number of different types of inks or
ink mixtures. For example, in some embodiments, ink 120 can include
DNA and/or a tagging agent. That is, DNA or a tagging agent added
into the ink can allow the ink to possesses traceability. In one
scenario, for example, a bank such as Bank of America may want to
use a special ink formula that is unique to that bank or
institution. If all the tellers are using random detection markers
from other manufacturers, then Bank of America really has no
guarantees. If, however, the bank is utilizing a DNA or tagging
agent as a part of the ink, and it can be validated that the ink is
specifically made for them, then Bank of America has a guarantee
and will have confidence in utilizing the approach described
herein.
[0028] Thus, the approach described herein can utilize additional
tagging agents manufactured within ink 120. Tagging agents can be
utilized to determine the ink age or a range of production. Such
tagging agents can also be employed to offer proprietary ink for
specific consumers (e.g., such as the Bank of America scenario
described above). Such tagging agents can be utilized to
established cohesiveness in the industry. Tagging agents embedded
into the inks can be manufactured markers such as, for example,
polymers, resins or other man-made agents (including but not
limited to manufactured Nano tags), non-organic markers such as
minerals (including but not limited to metals or silicates), or
organic materials (including but not limited to DNA strands or
other bio agents).
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a high level flow chart depicting the
process 300 of detecting the counterfeit paper currency, in
accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The apparatus 100
depicted in FIG. 1 can be utilized for detecting the counterfeit
currency. As depicted at block 305, the plunger 105 depicted in
FIG. 1 can be operated to protract the marking tip. The user makes
a mark on a paper currency as illustrated at block 310. After
making a mark, the user can retract the marking tip or nib by again
operating the plunger 105 depicted in FIG. 1, as illustrated at
block 315. As indicated at block 320, the color change in the
currency is examined. As illustrated at block 325, the color change
in the paper currency indicates that the paper currency is a
counterfeit. Otherwise, as depicted at block 330, the paper
currency is a genuine one.
[0030] Based on the foregoing, it can be appreciated that a number
of embodiments, preferred and alternative, are disclosed herein.
For example, in one embodiment, a retractable money detector
apparatus for detecting counterfeit paper currency can be
implemented, which includes a barrel comprising a first opening and
a second opening, a reservoir-housing unit mounted in the barrel
comprising a reservoir and a marking tip, and a clip secured to the
second opening of the barrel in a non-rotatable fashion. Such an
embodiment can be further configured to include a sealing sleeve
for maintaining the marking tip wet in a retracted position and a
spring for constantly urging the marking tip towards the retracted
position.
[0031] In another embodiment, the aforementioned clip can house a
plunger and a rotor. In yet another embodiment, such an apparatus
may comprise a lanyard mechanism for closing the sealing sleeve. In
other embodiments, the aforementioned barrel can maintain the
reservoir-housing unit, the sealing sleeve, the lanyard mechanism,
and the spring. In other embodiments, the marking tip can be
located in, for example, a predetermined protracted position or the
retracted position with respect to the first opening of the barrel
by operating the plunger.
[0032] In general, the mark tip can be utilized to make a mark on
paper currency. A color change in the paper currency indicates that
the paper currency comprises counterfeit currency.
[0033] In another embodiment, a retractable money detector
apparatus for detecting counterfeit paper currency can be
configured to include: a barrel comprising a first opening and a
second opening; a reservoir-housing unit mounted in the barrel
comprising a reservoir and a marking tip; a clip secured to the
second opening of the barrel in a non-rotatable fashion, wherein
the clip houses a plunger and a rotor; a sealing sleeve for keeping
the marking tip wet in a retracted position; a lanyard mechanism
for closing the sealing sleeve; and a spring for constantly urging
the marking tip towards the retracted position.
[0034] In a variation to such an embodiment, the barrel can house
the reservoir housing unit, the sealing sleeve, the lanyard
mechanism, and the spring. In another embodiment, the marking tip
can be in a predetermined protracted or retracted position with
respect to the first opening of the barrel by operating the
plunger. As indicated previously, the marking tip can be utilized
for making a mark on a paper currency, and a color change in the
paper currency indicates that the paper currency is a counterfeit
currency.
[0035] In yet another embodiment, a retractable money detector
apparatus for detecting counterfeit paper currency can include: a
barrel comprising a first opening and a second opening; a
reservoir-housing unit mounted in the barrel comprising a reservoir
and a marking tip; a clip secured to the second opening of the
barrel in a non-rotatable fashion, wherein the clip houses a
plunger and a rotor; a sealing sleeve for keeping the marking tip
wet in a retracted position; and a spring for constantly urging the
marking tip towards the retracted position. In another embodiment
of such an apparatus, a lanyard mechanism can be provided for
closing the sealing sleeve. In yet another embodiment of such an
apparatus, the barrel can house the reservoir-housing unit, the
sealing sleeve, and the spring. In another embodiment, the barrel
can also maintain the lanyard mechanism. In still another
embodiment of such an apparatus, the marking tip can be in a
predetermined protracted or retracted position with respect to the
first opening of the barrel by operating the plunger.
[0036] In still other embodiments, the aforementioned reservoir can
comprise a special ink comprising at least one of: DNA; a tagging
agent; or a combination of said DNA and said tagging agent.
[0037] It will be appreciated that variations of the above
disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives
thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different
systems or applications. Also, that various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims.
* * * * *